Growing up in a community richly endowed with diverse nature was the magic bullet that shot through a passion in Providence Moyo. Providence had a vision to start her enterprise in skincare products manufactured from Africa’s indigenous plants. Years later, Divine Pro Skin Care was established in 2014 and duly registered in Zimbabwe (1484/2013).
Divine Pro Skin Care is a certified member of Southern African Essential Oil Producers Association (SAEOPA) which is an organisation for the advancement of Agricultural projects with a bias towards SMEs and rural areas in particular the promotion of essential oil and vegetable oil production.
The company aims at being the most preferred provider of hypoallergenic skin and hair care products. It has a commitment to manufacture products that promote the natural, non-invasive health of the skin and the underlying tissue.
Guided by its motto: “Nature’s Beauty (Ubuhle bemvelo) the company has sources its key raw materials in manufacturing are from the indigenous plants of Southern Africa. Plant sources for the company’s products are extracted from the Baobab tree, Mangongo/Manketi and Marula.
Divine Pro Skin Care products are suitable for all skin types and ages. No skin color or age restrictions. As they are organic kids can safely use them as well.
From the company, one is spoilt for choice. The selection ranges from Lemon Acne Soap, African Black Soap, Baobab Rooibos Soap, Restoring Daily Cream, Powdered Baobab, Tissue Oil And The Mangongo Tissue Oil. Though, like many entrepreneurial startups would testify, the first steps for Providence meant hard decisions that took painful sacrifices and tribulation. Swapping the chalkboard for the 24 hour hustle in the business world was a start of what has turned to a globally sought after brand.
Now with a fully-fledged product line and beauty spas in Bulawayo and the recently availed Harare branch, Divine Pro Skin Care is a smack of a dazzle.
Knowing fully that business growth also encompasses product diversity, the company this year unveiled the newest, naturally derived brand from her company- the organic Baobab fruit juice.
The Covid-19 induced global lockdowns the world over did not deter the director and her team to look for other product ideas to keep the company afloat and relevant. Drawn from the Baobab fruit that is commonly known as umkhomo in the Southern Regions of Zimbabwe, the nutritious drink is ranked amongst the best by customers.
Major retail and wholesale traders such as Greens Supermarket, Edgar’s Stores, Jet Stores, Choppies, Diamond Pharmacy and TM Pick and Pay are stocking up the shelves with the product, a sign that it’s on demand.
The Baobab juice was introduced at the opportune time as more people now want to eat and drink healthy natural products. Providence’ business mantra is knowing what the market wants at the right time. But before she reached the business confidence bar, a bit of training in leadership management skills acquisition was to be applied. Providence knew the importance of continuous learning and networking for her to successfully run her business at an early stage.
She was identified by the United States Embassy in Zimbabwe in 2016, to take part in the African Women Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP) in Miami. A well-earned certificate in business leadership was evident enough that she had passed through crucial learning that would be useful for Divine Pro Skin Care in the future. While trade volumes in the emerging company shot up, so were opportunities that came in the way. Providence used every chance to gain the requisite know-how and social capital.
Being a US Alumini TIES was a springboard to an already well laird out business plan for the young Providence. In the same year, she was again qualified by the US Embassy to part of 40 young women in business mentees, under the guidance of Reverend Sara Nyathi, in the Women in Development Dialogue training session in the city of Bulawayo.
At the time, she reckons it was where she grind her teeth to cut through the business market. In 2017, a German cosmetic industry expert was seconded to Divine Pro Skin Care for business grooming under the Senior Expert Service (SES). The benefit was immense. Nothing beats motivation and every entrepreneur needs it.
In 2018, Divine Pro Skin Care received the prestigious Emerging Entrepreneur award in the Small to Medium Enterprises Expo. Divine Pro Skin Care brands became a household stay and a game changer to the cosmetics industry. Regional market penetration followed.
The company’s founder shook the East African market when she delivered a lecture on how to strengthen business and trade for women entrepreneurs in Africa, at a conference held in Accra, Ghana in 2019. There she delved into the sustainable support systems that could help future generations in business. Brand visibility and market penetration made way for Divine Pro Skin Care to run shoulders with established firms in international business exhibitions such as the Global Expo Botswana. Providence came back to the country armed with ideas for product innovation, growth and value addition.
The turn of 2020 was one that came with the deadly Covid-19 pandemic that shut down business but hope was not lost for Divine Pro Skin Care. In early March this year, another opportunity to interact with the East and Western Africa business terrain beckoned.
She took her brand there and talked about how to turn obstacles to opportunities, in particular directed at young African women who oftentimes face difficulties in their business startups.
Providence was to work with leading support organisations, SAEOPA and GIZ, that champion the cause of women led businesses in naturally derived products in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). She was the only young business lady from Zimbabwe to be identified under the programme. Other organisations that are in support include SAEOPA, UNIDO and ABIOSA.
The business vision that Providence conceived at a young age has seen her being mentioned highly in South Africa as well. The strides Providence has made are noticed by the media. She has been featured in numerous mainstream reputable business pages and online coverage that include The Business Connect, SpikedZW, The Sunday News and Amakhosikazi Media.
Recently, she was interview by Exhibition Corner magazine, with a platform to grow, connect and equip SMEs businesses. She was twice voted as the most influential personality in Bulawayo by Urban Culture magazine 2018 and 2019.
When she takes time off the factory, Providence has an insatiable zeal to promote and empower other women in business. She has a soft spot for rural women development. Her immediate concern being support to rural communities of Plumtree, Lupane and Hwange where she gets raw materials for the fledging skin care division and the Baobab fruit juice enterprise.
Providence renders community support through to her Divine Providence Organisation that was build up under the theme: “Hand in Hand Changing Lives”
Youth development is at the core of her initiatives as well. She is a patron of Yashar Productions, a teenage arts ensemble that is into dance, theatre and film. In as many business and community gatherings, Providence is a role model who gives career guidance and business coaching. She credits her business standing to God and to the constant spiritual guidance by Pastor Dr Blessing Chiza and Prophetess Chiza.
A devout member of the Eagle Life Church, the young business woman puts nothing but her Christian faith first.
A proud mother of two, Providence declares her endearing love for her children and how she coaches them to have an entrepreneurial spirit. The future holds bright for the Divine Pro Skin Care brand as she aims to penetrate the European market.
